The school summer holidays are just beginning, but it doesn't have to be a challenge to keep the kid's entertained.

Whether you want to explore the historic past of the city, have a picnic in an award-winning park or follow the steps of you favourite Hollywood star, Bath has it all - and for free!

Enjoy Royal Victoria Park

The award-winning park is overlooked by the Royal Crescent and with 57 acres it boasts free attractions including a skateboard ramp, tennis courts, 12 and 18-hole golf courses, a children’s play area and 9-acre botanical garden - so there’s plenty to keep the kids busy.

Royal Victoria Park

Bike ride down the canal

The popular 10 mile walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal starts at Bath locks before heading north towards Bathwick and through the village of Bathampton where you can detour to visit the Toll Bridge over the River Avon.

There's loads of places to explore on this walk (Image: Artur Lesniak/Trinity Mirror)

Stroll the skyline

The trail is National Trust’s most popular walking trail where you can see an Iron Age hill fort, 18th century follies and explore hidden valleys.

According to the National Trust, the walk will burn as much energy as playing 90 minutes of football and at the end, you can reward yourself with a free cookie and coffee at the American Museum of Claverton Down when you show your printed Skyline map .

Bath Skyline walk view from Widcombe Hill

Here Be Dragons

Magical dragons will be taking over the Victoria Art Gallery this summer with the Here Be Dragon exhibition from July 22 – October 8.

The gallery is also hosting free family orientated activities for Bath residents to keep the children busy over the summer holidays.

Admission to the exhibition is free for residents of Bath and North East Somerset with a Discovery Card and costs £4 for those without.

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Why not explore the Bath with a free walking tour. The guide will bring the city to life – not only showing you the history of the city but sharing facts and figures about famous Bathonians, showing you where they worked, lived and played.

Follow the steps of your favourite Hollywood stars

It’s no surprise that Bath is a popular setting for many famous films - including Les Miserables which features Pulteney Bridge, The Duchess and Vanity Fair, so why not follow the footsteps of the big stars? The Bath Movie Map is a free app which lets you explore the popular film locations.

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The free audio guide created by Bath Tourism Plus takes you on a walking tour around the highlights of the city. You can explore the wonderful sites of the city while also learning about the famous author with the free audio guide which includes extracts from some of Austen’s novels.

Jane Austen is one of Bath’s most famous residents

Beazer Garden Maze

The paving stone maze will keep the younger children busy for hours as they search for the centre of the maze.

It can be found on the east side of the weir in Beazer Gardens, with the entrance from the steps on Pulteney Bridge.

Summer Reading Challenge

The challenge is educational and fun, aiming to keep children aged 4-11 reading throughout the summer holidays.

It’s proving popular already, with over 300 people signing up and children will have to borrow and read six books when they will be awarded a certificate and medal.

The challenge will run until September 9 and the theme for this year’s event in ‘Animal Agents’.

The challenge will run until September 9

Get hold of a Discovery Card and go to the Roman Bath's for free!

If you’re a resident of Bath you can visit the Roman Baths and the Fashion Museum for free.

You can see how the Romans lived with the three natural hot springs, a temple which is dedicated to the goddess Sulis-Minerva and a fascinating museum displaying artefacts which were uncovered on the site.

The heritage attraction is hugely popular during the summer months so Roman Bath’s advises that you visit after 5pm, with the site closing at 10pm.

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The Fashion Museum Bath is housed in the famous Assembly Rooms and displays a collection of world-class contemporary and historical dress.

There are also fun activities for the kids this summer including a pyjama party, fashion for the future and the birds and the butterflies.

Again, if you have a Discovery Card admission is free!

Fashion Museum

The Brutalist Playground

While the name may not sound that appealing, The Brutalist Playground is a family friendly exhibition brought by The Edge and The University of Bath.

It promises to be ‘part sculpture, part architecture, all play’ and the interactive playground provides a distinct move away from the previous concrete playground designs which were cast into housing estates in the mid-nineteenth century.

It promises to be ‘part sculpture, part architecture, all play’

BCDH Summer Cat Cuddle-a-Thon

For the first time ever, Bath Cats and Dogs Home is hosting a Cat-Cuddle-a-Thon for all cat lovers out there.

You can spend two hours with a friendly feline, seeing the world through their eyes while also raising money for the charity.